Pastizzi in Malta: Fillings, Ordering and Dietary Checks

What pastizzi are and how to order

Pastizzi are small, flaky savoury pastries sold warm from pastizzerias, bakeries and snack bars. Visit Malta describes them as an essential local street food. The classic fillings are ricotta and curried peas, though shops increasingly sell other versions.

One pastry is a pastizz; the plural is pastizzi. Ask for pastizz tal-irkotta for ricotta or pastizz tal-piżelli for peas. English is widely understood, so “one ricotta pastizz, please” is perfectly workable. They are usually handed over in paper for immediate eating rather than plated as a restaurant course.

The pastry should be layered and crisp outside with a hot filling. Let it cool before biting: steam and filling retain heat. A pastizz is a snack, so two people ordering one each should not expect a full lunch.

Where to buy them

A normal pastizzeria often has a compact counter, trays moving through the oven and a largely takeaway trade. Bakeries and village snack bars may sell them alongside qassatat, pizza slices and pies. High turnover is a better signal of freshness than a shop calling itself “authentic.”

Crystal Palace, commonly called Is-Serkin, in Rabat is a well-known example near Mdina, but it does not need to be a pilgrimage. Buy from a busy counter near where you are staying, note what is coming fresh from the oven and confirm card or cash payment before ordering a large batch. Hours can change and some counters open extremely early or late, so check the exact business on the day.

Allergens and dietary restrictions

Standard pastizzi contain wheat and therefore gluten. Ricotta filling contains dairy. Dough recipes can include fat, and fillings or pastry may contain egg; do not infer ingredients from appearance. Pea filling may be meat-free but is not automatically vegan because the pastry fat, egg wash or shared preparation can vary.

Cross-contact is likely in a small bakery handling flour, cheese and multiple fillings. Anyone with coeliac disease or a serious allergy should ask for the ingredient label and preparation details; a verbal “no cheese” answer is not enough. Use our gluten-free Malta guide and vegan and vegetarian guide for safer planning.

Continue with Maltese bread, ftira and the broader Maltese Food Guide.

Before relying on this guide

Menus, prices, opening hours, delivery coverage and venue arrangements change. Recheck the linked first-party source when a booking, allergy, price, journey or eligibility condition affects the decision.

Last reviewed: 29 August 2026.